Robin Hood. by Nick Perrin. Pupil Script

THIS SCRIPT MAY BE PHOTOCOPIED FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF... Robin Hood by Nick Perrin Pupil Script SCENE 1 The Scene Is Set [The bursts in! He is followed by and the SOLDIERS/GUARDS. Each one delivers a threat. They cross the stage to end up in their Nottingham Castle positions.] SOLDIERS/GUARDS Don t think you can hide from me! I know who you are! And you! Have you paid your taxes? The Sheriff will be after you! Saxon dogs! You ll be thrown in the dungeon! Pay up, you Saxon swine! Give us your money! (etc.) [Last SOLDIER enters a little late, hurrying, and (as an afterthought) turns back just before reaching the Castle to speak] LAST SOLDIER We ll be back! [During the instrumental, VILLAGERS gradually enter, in family groups. They go about their business, miming everyday activities, sweeping, cooking, chopping wood, etc. As the music ends, narrator comes centre stage.] OUR STORY BEGINS - Instrumental NARRATOR 1 In the twelfth century, England was ruled by King Richard, known by many as Richard the Lionheart. [VILLAGERS - nods of approval - Aye, yea, etc.] When King Richard was away from England, leading crusades, his wicked brother, Prince John, ruled the country. [VILLAGERS grumble...] 1

NARRATOR 2 NARRATOR 1 NARRATOR 2 ALL Prince John was greedy and demanded huge taxes from the defeated and oppressed Saxon people. The heartless Sheriff of Nottingham [Boo!] and wicked Sir Guy of Gisborne [Boo!] were in the business of collecting as much tax as they could from the poorest people in the land. At this time, stories began to be told of a great hero. This hero was a gentleman, who was forced from his land and his home, and took shelter in the great forest of Sherwood. From here he protected the poor Saxons, and fought against the cruelty and greed of their Norman leaders. That hero was Robin of Loxley, known to us all as... (shouted) HOOD! [, and soldiers burst in. As he speaks, strides across the stage. follows him, stopping centre to threaten BOY VILLAGER.] (angrily) Loxley - where are you, Loxley? BOY VILLAGER SOLDIER 1 SOLDIER 2 SOLDIER 3 GIRL VILLAGER (threatening a small boy) Where s the man you call Robin Hood? (frightened) I don t know where he is! Please! Believe me! (shouting) Show yourself, Loxley, you Saxon fool! (to a group of villagers) Kneel to the sheriff, you filthy dogs! Tell us where Robin Hood is or you ll pay with your lives! (nervously) We don t know where he is. We haven t seen him. Loxley! Come out and fight, you Saxon coward! (menacingly, as he leaves) If we find out you ve been lying and you do know where he is - we ll be back! [The and his men leave, bullying and threatening the villagers as they go. Then the VILLAGERS gather together to look after the injured and comfort the children.] WE NEED YOU NOW [ enters, to sing first verse/chorus of the next song. enters during the song.] OUR STORY BEGINS 2

[As the song ends, Much the MILLER S SON bursts in breathlessly, looking for.] (out of breath) Save me! Save me! The Sheriff s men - they re coming! Please! Robin Hood, help me! [ collapses centre stage.] BOY VILLAGER (shouting) It s Much! The Miller s son! [ and enter, out of breath] (moves to ) Robin s not here. But don t worry, (stoops) we ll protect you. (interrupting loudly) I am here. I heard some kind of chase going on... [ & move towards the centre. VILLAGERS look pleased and relieved to see them.] We came as quickly as we could. (approaching ) Don t worry, Much. You re among friends. (nervously, looking back) But they re coming! Be calm. Leave it to Robin. [ & soldiers (but not ) enter noisily. MARIAN & MAID are with them.] SOLDIER 1 SOLDIER 2 There he is! (scornfully) The little Saxon dog! Hand over that boy! He killed the king s deer. He must pay the price for his crime! A crime, Sir Guy? Is it a crime to search for food for his poor family? They haven t enough to eat as it is. Most of their money has been taken by the Sheriff in taxes. The law must be obeyed. (aside, to audience) Norman law? Where s the justice in that? [SOLDIER 3 reacts angrily to S comment.] SOLDIER 3 If you don t hand him over now, we ll kill him where he stands. (to, prodding him repeatedly) And you! If you insult Sir Guy once more, you re dead! Twice dead, if you re not careful! [ pulls his sword in response, but is stopped by, who moves over to MARIAN. WILL glares.] 3

MARIAN (quickly taking MARIAN aside) And you, my lady. Surely you wouldn t want this boy hurt? (shaking head) Of course not, but (with hands opened out) I am in the hands of the Sheriff. I dare not cross Sir Guy. In that case, we ll deal with it! (shouting to OUTLAWS) Now! THE CHASE - Incidental music [ A skirmish follows! SOLDIER 1 vs, SOLDIER 2 vs, SOLDIER 3 vs, SOLDIER 4, 5, 6 etc. vs. VILLAGERS, vs.. WILL struggles; intervenes, and has on the ground at sword-point by the end of the music.] ALL (To ) How do you like our Saxon law, my friend? Tell the Sheriff that we will eat from the King s forest whenever we want. It is King Richard s forest, and we fight for King Richard. (each raising a fist or a sword) King Richard! We will spare your life - this time - but do not enter the forest again. Go! [ & SOLDIERS leave dejectedly as the song intro is played. The song is sung by VILLAGERS & OUTLAWS, but not, who interacts with & VILLAGERS. During the song, in the Castle area, the & mime discussion as they plot their next attack.] HOOD OUR HERO [ walks to Major Oak, sees the note, calls to.] (pointing) Look, Robin! (moves to Major Oak) A message! (as he joins ) Well? What does it say? It s a warning: (reading) The Sheriff of Nottingham plans to attack all local villages, burning houses and killing animals in revenge for you saving Much and making threats. It says I will help if I can. And it s signed Marian Fitzwalter. (stepping forward) She may be a Norman, but she knows right from wrong. (rejoining ) She is a true friend. Arm yourselves, men! We meet here, at the Major Oak, in one hour. [Exit OUTLAWS.] 4

SCENE 2 The Sheriff s Plan [At Nottingham Castle, & are pleased with themselves, discussing a plan to capture HOOD.] (hand on S shoulder) Congratulations, Gisborne. That plan will have Loxley tied up in knots. Well, Sheriff, I really do think we might get him this time. (moving to centre) We certainly need to get him sorted out. He s a dangerous man, and he s costing us dearly. [During song intro, can threaten a couple of villagers. mimes interaction with SOLDIERS.] NOTHING THAT I WOULDN T DO [At the end of the song, & SOLDIERS enter on s instruction. They threaten VILLAGERS.] VILLAGER 1 VILLAGER 2 VILLAGER 3 VILLAGER 4 Go to it, men! They re traitors! Take everything they ve got! (pleading) We have no more to give! You already have our money - we ve paid our taxes. (desperately) We ve done no wrong! (standing) Just look at our clothes - they re rags! (cruelly) Saxon dogs! You will pay for Much s crime. I will show you who is master! [Unseen by, OUTLAWS creep into hiding places.] VILLAGER 1 SOLDIER 1 SOLDIER 2 SOLDIER 3 SOLDIER 4 You can see how poor we are - please just let us be! Take their money! Burn their hovels! Show no mercy! Saxon dogs! THE CHASE - Incidental Music [As the SOLDIERS attack, the OUTLAWS emerge from their hiding places. A skirmish takes place. and SOLDIER 1 capture, and escape. fights. 5

SOLDIER 3 fights. & take on the rest! helps to capture the.] ALL VILLAGERS Each time they sing the word Raise VILLAGERS raise arms with clenched fists. Those with swords raise them. SCENE 3 GUARD 1 (held by & ) You knew we were coming! Who told you? Who is the traitor? Tell me his name! We followed your Norman scent, my lord! The smell of blood, deceit and death! (ad lib.) Yes Ugh (with nods etc.) An unpleasant odour! (to the outlaws) What do you say, men? Yeah! (some of them mime bad smell gestures, fanning noses etc.) You will pay for this with your lives! (to the outlaws) Little John! Alan! Will! Take their weapons and escort them out of the forest. [Exit, ALAN,, and remaining SOLDIERS.] Come on everybody, let s celebrate our victory! RAISE YOUR SWORDS - Chorus [VILLAGERS and OUTLAWS sing the chorus of the song as they exit. The cast freeze once the action at the Castle begins.] The End Of Much? [At Nottingham Castle, is brought before the by a guard] So you re the lad who killed the king s deer! My father has no money... and... I was so hungry... and Kneel to the Sheriff, you Saxon swine! [Forces to the ground.] GUARD 2 It is a very serious crime to hunt in the King s forest. But please... It was only one deer and it was very small You will be hung at dawn. Take him to the dungeon. I won t do it again... I promise... Silence, boy! On your feet! (pulls him up roughly) (as he is led away) But please! It was only one deer 6

[ is taken away and placed, where he can still be seen by the audience, in jail.] SCENE 4 In The Forest [VILLAGERS and OUTLAWS unfreeze, or re-enter and gather together. mimes interaction with VILLAGERS, as they sing the song. During the song, ALAN, and LITTLE JOHN return.] RAISE YOUR SWORDS (acknowledging their tribute) Thank you, friends. And praise to you, Little John, for the strength of your fighting. [ALL clap ad lib, commenting, Well done, etc.] GIRL VILLAGER CHILDREN GIRL VILLAGER Robin, tell us the story of how you met Little John - please? Again? You don t want to hear all that again, do you? Yes! Oh go on, Robin - please! Oh, very well. S RAP [VILLAGERS and OUTLAWS make percussive rap rhythms using weapons, staffs etc. All join in with the call-response chorus.] [ALL laugh, and do high fives.] BOY VILLAGER BOY VILLAGER (complaining to Robin) Robin, you forgot to do the bit about how he got to be called Little John when he is so big! Tell us that bit. There s nothing to tell. I mean, when someone so tall is called John Little what else could you call them? I suppose so [BOY VILLAGER is interrupted by the entrance of MARIAN, calling anxiously.] MARIAN MARIAN Robin! Robin! Much, the Miller s Son - the Sheriff has him! He s in the castle dungeon! He s to be hung at dawn! We ll come straight away. (stopping him) No, wait! You ll never get into the castle. The Sheriff s men are everywhere. There s a reward of five hundred golden crowns for your capture. 7

MARIAN (pleased) Five hundred golden crowns? Hmm! That s not bad! Ssh! Robin, listen! I have a plan. [MARIAN whispers her plan to while and speak.] (knocking his staff on the floor on the word knock ) We ll knock the door down if we have to! We won t let Much die! (who has been watching Marian and Robin) Hang on, John! Let Robin tell us the plan first. Ok Marian! I ll meet you by the old castle gate at midnight. Hoot like an owl three times when all is clear. [As MARIAN leaves, calls to her.] Take care, the Sheriff is very cunning. SCENE 5 Marian Frees Much MARIAN FREES - Incidental music [VILLAGERS settle down to sleep. At the castle, the GUARD posted next to also sleeps. While the music plays, mimes telling the OUTLAWS his plan. Then, as they settle to sleep, goes to wait for MARIAN by the Major Oak. Meanwhile, MARIAN mimes the rescue of, taking keys from sleeping GUARD, setting free, leading him out of the castle and hooting three times. goes to meet them, and takes back to camp. The OUTLAWS stir as they approach.] (kneeling up) It s Robin, and Much! [OUTLAWS stand to greet them as they speak] They re safe! (to ) Are you hurt? I m fine. But if it hadn t been for Marian... (shakes head at the thought) Lady Marian did well, didn t she John? If it wasn t for her, (winking) there wouldn t be much left of Much! [VILLAGERS lift heads to groan at his joke, then return to sleep.] (laughing/pointing) Not that there s much of Much in the first place! [Groans as before] (indignant) I m not that small, thank you very much... [VILLAGERS giggle, but continue sleeping] 8

OUTLAWS (laughing, ad lib.) Oh, thank you very much! You re just too much, Much! (raising hands) That s enough! Stop! Listen! I heard the guards talking outside the dungeon. What did they say? There s going to be a special shipment of gold for Prince John. They re bringing it through the forest tomorrow! We ll be there, won t we, lads? We can t miss an opportunity to get back our Saxon gold! (as if he has a plan) I know! Where can we find a friar? [OUTLAWS look puzzled.] (puzzled) A friar? Er What about Friar Tuck! I know where he ll be! (pleased) Ah! Friar Tuck! I d like to meet him. We ll find him first thing in the morning. [OUTLAWS exit, except and, and put on their monks habits, offstage. VILLAGERS continue to sleep.] SCENE 6 VILLAGER 1 VILLAGER 1 VILLAGER 1 Friar Tuck Takes Robin For A Swim [VILLAGERS wake up and go about their business, with ad lib dialogue: Good morning etc. Enter.] Good morning to you, Friar Tuck. And good morning to you, Sir. (or Madam!) Off to do some fishing, then? I certainly am! Well I hope you ll be lucky with your catch! Thank you! The Lord will provide. [ settles down to fish. He eats his bread. creeps up from behind, and gently prods with his sword.] FRIAR (jumping up, startled) Ouch! (angrily) Can t a man be left to enjoy his bread in peace? What do you want, sir? (pointing his sword at ) Take me across the water, Friar. (crossly) And why, good sir, should I do that? Because I do not wish to get my feet wet! 9

(to the audience, incredulously) He does not wish to get his feet wet? Who does he think he is? [ sits down and gets on with his fishing, grumpily. needs to sing the line I will take you for a ride with an understanding of the double meaning.] TAKE ME 'CROSS THE WATER HOOD (indignant) Ugh! (laughing and clapping) About time you had a bath, Robin! (sarcastically) That was a fine Christian trick you played on me, Friar! Nothing more than you deserved, Sir. Who are you, anyway? Don t you know this man? He is our brave leader, Robin Hood. (aghast) Robin Hood? But I ve heard so much about you! (mortified) I would never have... Oh dear! (to audience) I ve just dropped Robin Hood in the water! (apologetically, to Robin) Oh, dear me! I m so sorry! Oh don t worry, (deliberately) it s all water under the bridge! (wiping water off himself) [ALL groan / laugh] But I ve been meaning to find you. The Sheriff is no friend of mine. I m glad to hear it! (shaking his head sadly) My flock are starving. I do what I can, but we need your protection from the Sheriff and Gisborne. And we need your help too. Come, Tuck. I ll tell you my plan. (as they leave) We need your help with disguises... (calling back to OUTLAWS) I ll warn you, men, this could lead us into (tapping nose) bad habits! [, WILL & exit in discussion. Backstage, & WILL quickly put on monks habits.] SCENE 7 SOLDIERS The Gold Is Prepared [At Nottingham Castle, & SOLDIERS are preparing gold for transportation.] (impatiently) Isn t that gold ready yet? Get a move on! Yes sir! If any of this gold is missing, I ll lock you all in the dungeon and throw the key in the moat! 10

SOLDIERS Yes sir! And Gisborne Sir? Keep a careful watch for that thieving outlaw, Robin Hood... Indeed I will. [SOLDIERS exit,. followed by.] (as they leave) I mean it, Gisborne it s the gold or the dungeon! SCENE 8 Robin s Plan Works [Enter HOOD & OUTLAWS dressed in monks habits. They process, chanting their prayer. Meanwhile SOLDIERS enter slowly carrying the heavy gold. & OUTLAWS pass the SOLDIERS, then they surprise them with an attack from the rear.] SANCTUS / THE CHASE (to SOLDIER 1, holding up the gold) Tell the Sheriff the gold will be returned to its rightful owners. [ lets go of SOLDIER 1, but stays close to him.] SOLDIER 1 (defiantly) Gisborne and the Sheriff will get you for this! (comically) Oh we are so terrified! (indicating the gold) We do like to make a habit of returning things to their rightful owners. [ begins to laugh to himself.] A habit we don t want to break! [ laughs more obviously.] Although I m sure the Sheriff would love us to give up our bad habits. (laughing loudly, indicating his habit) Bad habits! Oh, that s a good one! (laughing) Bad habits? I thought they were quite convincing, really. Didn t you, John? Well yes, I thought they were very good habits. As a matter of fact I could get into the habit of wearing a habit! [ALL laugh.] 11

SOLDIER (defiantly) You can laugh now, but Gisborne will be back. But not tomorrow. Tomorrow, at noon, he is to wed the Lady Marian. [ALL gasp. grabs SOLDIER 1.] (aghast) This cannot be true! (to ) It is you she d marry, not Gisborne! He must be forcing her to marry him! No woman would wish to marry such a cruel man. What s to be done, Robin? (pointing to SOLDIER 1) Get this wretch s uniform. I need to pay a visit to the castle tonight. [ and take SOLDIER 1 offstage.] And Friar Tuck! There s something else I d like you to do. Come with me. [Exit and. puts on SOLDIER costume. and take the gold offstage.] SCENE 9 SOLDIER 2 SOLDIER 3 At The Castle [Enter, and SOLDIERS.] You idiots! Call yourselves soldiers? Now all of our gold is gone! Robin Hood and his men have won again! (protesting) But it wasn t our fault! We were tricked! Speak again, and I ll cut your tongues out! Just listen! Tomorrow is a very important day. Sir Guy and Lady Marian are to be wed. You fools are to guard the castle. Do you think you can manage that? [SOLDIERS mutter and grumble.] SOLDIERS SOLDIERS Silence! No-one is to enter the castle without an invitation. Do you understand? Yes, Sir! Get moving then! Yes, Sir! [ALL exit, apart from two soldiers, who are on guard.] HOOD OUR HERO - Incident. music 12

[Enter in soldier disguise; makes his way to the castle.] GUARD 1 GUARD 2 (stepping forward) Who goes there? (pulling him back) It s all right - he s one of us. [ waves to them, and looks around, as if expecting someone. Enter MARIAN S MAID.] MAID MAID What news of my lady Marian? (curtseying) Sir - thank goodness you re here! Marian s heart is broken! She s being forced to marry Guy of Gisborne! There will be no marriage tomorrow! Tell Marian not to worry. I have a plan! Oh that s good news, Sir! (more quietly) In the morning, the Bishop of Hereford will be passing through the forest on the way to the castle... [ S voice fades to a whisper] MAID (delighted) Marian will be so relieved! But do take care, Sir. (deep curtsey) SCENE 10 - The Bishop Gets Involved [ exits, Maid then exits.] WE NEED YOU NOW - Incidental Music [OUTLAWS, and VILLAGERS are in the forest glade. Enter MARIAN and MAID, who help to comfort the poor, sick and injured. Enter BISHOP, walking slowly.] BISHOP BISHOP (spotting the Bishop) Your Grace! Welcome to Sherwood. Thank you brother. It is a blessing that you are able to stop on your way to Nottingham. May I introduce my good friend, Robin Hood? (outraged) Hood? Did you say Robin Hood? (to Robin) You re nothing but a thief and a vagabond, Sir! You re the most wanted outlaw in the whole kingdom! (making peace) My Lord Bishop, we mean you no harm. We need to show you something, before you marry Lady Marian to Sir Guy. [During the song,, & ALAN-a-DALE show the BISHOP the misery being suffered by the VILLAGERS.] WE NEED YOU NOW 13

BISHOP BISHOP OUTLAWS BISHOP OUTLAWS BISHOP (showing an injured child) This is an example of Gisborne s cruelty. He tortures the weak and innocent. (showing a ragged villager) Look, your Grace - rags instead of clothes. Poverty instead of riches. Gisborne and the Sheriff have taken everything they owned. I can see what you say is true. And...? (deciding) And... something tells me I am going to get lost in the forest... Yes? And if I m lost, I won t be there to marry them! (triumphantly) YES! There ll be no wedding today! [Excited buzz for a couple of seconds.] (to BISHOP) Come with me, your holiness. We ll get lost together! [Exit and BISHOP. OUTLAWS and VILLAGERS are delighted and relieved, especially and MARIAN, who talk together. Enter excitedly, with a poster.] Robin! Look at this! There s going to be a great archery tournament in Nottingham! (reads) Nottingham Fayre Archery Tournament. The best archer in England will win a Silver Arrow! (to ) You d win it for sure, Robin! Let me see that... (looks at poster) This must be a trap, Robin, the Sheriff s wicked trick to tempt you. You mustn t go, Robin. You ll be caught. You re forgetting that I am a master of disguise! [In the next song, everyone tries to warn not to go. He mimes reassurance, and then, ignoring them, puts on a beggar s disguise.] YOU RE IN GREAT DANGER [Exit MARIAN, dejected, with her MAID.] (seeing Marian s departure) Lady Marian - wait! Lady Marian! [She s gone - he turns back.] 14

(in comical disguised voice) I am old William of Worksop! (or other local name) I m on my way to the fayre! [VILLAGERS and OUTLAWS smile and laugh, realising that they won t prevent from having his way. Everyone joins in singing the next song, including guards at the castle. Enter KING RICHARD during fayre.] SCENE 11 - The Fayre LET S GO TO THE FAYRE ANNOUNCER (shouting twice) All challengers for the Silver Arrow now step forward! [Spectators encourage the contestants. Enter, and SOLDIERS. and sing their song.] NOTHING THAT WE WOULDN T DO ANNOUNCER Pray, silence for the Sheriff of Nottingham! Let the archery tournament begin! Archers: take your positions! [ARCHERS move into a line or group. As each ARCHER is announced, he/she steps forward and aims at target no arrows!] ANNOUNCER VILLAGER 1 VILLAGER 2 VILLAGER 3 ALL ANNOUNCER (reading names on scroll) Number One: Peter of Nottingham! (cheers) [Hits the target, to polite applause.] Number Two: Sir Guy of Gisborne! (jeers, mutterings) [Hits the target, to muted applause.] Number Three: Robert the Builder! (wearing hard hat) [Misses, and hits someone s window.] (to VILLAGER 2, pointing) Oops, that s old Bertha s bedroom window smashed! (folding arms, shaking head) The things Robert the Builder will do to keep himself in work! (opening out hands) But can he fix it? Yes he can! (crossly) Enough! Robert the Builder, you re disqualified. On with the contest! Number Four: Sheila of Sherwood! (polite applause) [Hits, to more polite applause.] and finally, an old beggar from Worksop. (or other town) 15

[Surprised mumbles from the crowd.] ANNOUNCER The first rounds of the archery tournament are now complete. The finalists are: Peter of Nottingham (cheers) Sir Guy of Gisborne (jeers, mutterings) and the old beggar from Worksop. (or other town) Take your places, finalists! [The archers shoot in turn.] ANNOUNCER Peter of Nottingham has hit the red! (polite applause) (dramatically) Sir Guy of Gisborne has hit the Bull s- Eye! (gasps, excited chatter) And the old beggar has split Sir Guy s arrow! (stunned silence for a second, followed by enormous cheers) Let the champion step forward and receive his prize from Lady Marian. [ steps forward.] (pointing) Seize him! It s Robin Hood! Don t let him escape this time! [ and his soldiers surround & pull off his disguise. The OUTLAWS rush forward and try to rescue. MARIAN joins in. KING RICHARD reveals his identity by removing his cloak, and stands in a prominent position to shout.] KING RICHARD (shouting) Stop! [Everyone stops, turning with surprise, and then recognition.] The King! (he kneels) Richard The Lion Heart! (kneels) Our true king! Home at last! [ALL kneel, except for &. KING RICHARD moves to, and places his sword on his shoulder.] KING RICHARD KING RICHARD Arise, Sir Robin. You have looked after my people well. [ stands.] Sheriff! Gisborne! Why do you not bow to your king! [ & bow, scowling.] You have mistreated my people and now you insult me! But your majesty (swiftly stopping him with a raised hand) Silence! Your disloyalty and wrong-doing will be punished. (to some soldiers) You men! Take them straight to the dungeon! [SOLDIERS seize & and lead them off. VILLAGERS quietly show approval of this move.] 16

KING RICHARD Your majesty, it gives me such enormous pleasure to see justice be done! We aim to please, Friar! And now: Sir Robin of Loxley! I mean to reward you! Ask for what you desire, and it shall be yours. My king, there s just one thing I desire, and only she (indicating MARIAN with outstretched hand) can give it. The hand of the Lady Marian. [MARIAN goes to him and offers him her hand.] KING RICHARD ALL I give you both my blessing. Long live King Richard! Long live Robin Hood! DO THE ROCKIN OUR STORY S TOLD [During the last lines of the song, MARIAN presents with the Silver Arrow]. ENCORE - DO THE ROCKIN Starshine Music Ltd. 1999 (revised edition 2007) Brown Cottage, Glynleigh Road, Hankham, East Sussex, England. BN24 5BJ Tel: +44 (0)1323 764334 Fax: +44 (0)1323 767145 e-mail: info@starshine.co.uk www.starshine.co.uk Please remember that all performances must be by prior arrangement with the Publishers, from whom licences must be obtained. 17